Informed consent continues to be valid for an indefinite period, thus allowing advance consent to be sought, providing that the patients condition has not changed, or any new information pertaining to the proposed intervention or alternative treatments has not surfaced in the intervening period. It is generally good practice, if consent was taken in advance, to confirm consent at the time of surgery/intervention. (J R Soc Med. 2007 Feb;100(2):97-100).